Fishing tackle



G; A. BURGIN FISHING TACKLE Dec. 10, 1940.

Filed Oct. 24, 1939 m 7m? w 5 w 7 z 4 a I I V 7 v :2 Z 7 z, .T h t I 1d3 2|; 5 5 Z I Al 4 4 4 4 a z a 2 d w 2 ATTOR N EYS Patented Dec. 10,1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to fishing tackle and has as one of the principalobjects thereof the provision of a device equipped with means for effecting a visual signal upon a fish contacting the line to which thedevice is attached.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the abovedescribed character which is simple in construction, durable in use,efficient in operation and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designatelike parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a top plan View thereof.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View of the upper portion of a modifiedform of my invention.

In practicing my invention, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of thedrawing, I provide a transparent tube 5, the lower end of which isclosed and of an inverted conical configuration. The

upper end of the tube is open and is normally closed by a stopper 6, thelatter being preferably constructed of cork or the like. The inner endof the cork 6 is formed with a recess 7 in which is arranged acylindrical shell 8 of insulating material and fashioned between itsends with a partition 9 defining upper and lower chambers 59 and II. Thelower end of the shell 8 is interiorly threaded and receives therein thecontact end of an electric light bulb 12, the latter being provided withan outer contact shell I3 and a centrally disposed contact I4. Said lampis of an ordinary construction and per se forms u no part of the presentinvention.

Extending through the partition 9 is a contact pin 15, the lower end ofwhich engages the central contact of the lamp l2. The upper end of thepin i5 is spaced subjacent the lower end l5 of a contact pin l6 whichextends through the upper end of the shell I and has its upper endconnected to a laterally disposed section I1 of a vertically disposedcontact strip 18 arranged on the periphery of the stopper 6. The chamberii! is provided with mercury IS which, when the tube is tiltedapproximately 30 or more from the vertical, effect electrical connectionbetween the pins l5 and It for a purpose hereinafter more fully setforth.

The lower end section of the tube 5 has contained therein an electricbattery 20. The lower end of the battery is provided with a centrallydisposed contact 2i engaging the horizontally disposed portion 22 of avertically disposed contact strip 23 extending upwardly within the tubeand having an upper end engaging the strip l8. Interposed between thestopper 6 and the battery 20 is a coil spring 24, the lower end ofwhich-engages the other terminal of the battery 28 and the upper end theshell [3 of the bulb l2.

Arranged within the lower end of the transparent tube5 is a spacerconnected to the section 22 of the strip 23 and engaging the lowerportion of the lower end whereby to limit the downward movement of thebattery 20 .when under the tension of the spring 24.

The lower end of the casing is provided with an eye 25 through which isconnected a fishing line 21, the upper section of which is trainedthrough a similar eye 23 carried by the tube subjacent the stopper 6.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that when a fish nibbles at thebait on the lower end of the line 21, the tube will be tiltedapproximately or more from the vertical and thus,

through the medium of the mercury I9, completes the circuit through thebattery 20 with the lamp l2 and effects a visual signal.

While my invention is particularly adaptable for night fishing to effecta visual signal, the same may also be used in the daytime. By a slightrotation of the stopper 8 with respect to the tube 5 the strip l8 may bedisposed out of engagement with the upper end of the strip 23 therebyproviding an open circuit between the battery and bulb l2 thuspermitting the device to be operated in the daytime without operatingthe visual signal means.

In the modified form shown in Figure 4 of the drawing there is provideda metallic shell 3!! having a closed lower end 3! extending within theshell of a lamp socket 32. The upper end of the shell 36 is closed by aplug 33 of insulating material and through which extends the lower endof a contact 34 normally spaced above the mercury 35 contained withinthe shell. The contact 36 is connected to the upper end of a leadextending to one terminal of the battery whereby upon tilting of thetube contact will be established between the lamp and the battery.

It is obvious that the invention is not confined to the herein describeduse therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which it isadaptable. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the specific construcand provided with separated contactelements adapted for connection with each other upon tilting of saidtube, an electric lamp having one terminal connected to one of saidcontact elements, means connecting the other of said contact elements toone terminal of said battery, and means connecting the other terminal ofsaid battery to the other terminal of said lamp whereby upon tilting ofsaid tube said lamp is illuminated to effect a visual signal.

2. A device of the character described, comprising, a transparent tubehaving a closed bottom and an open top, a contact strip lengthwisingsaid tube, a battery arranged in said tube superjacent said bottom andhaving one terminal connected to said strip, a stopper closing said topand rotatably adjustable with respect to the tube, a mercury switcharranged in said stopper and provided with separated contact elementsadapted for connection with each other upon tilting of said tube, one ofsaid contact elements having a section exposed on the periphery of saidstopper for rotation with the latter into and out of contact with saidstrip, an electric lamp having one terminal connected to the other ofsaid contact elements, and means connecting the other terminal of saidbattery to the other terminal of said lamp whereby upon tilting of saidtube said lamp is illuminated to effect a visual signal when saidsection is disposed in contactual relationship with said strip.

GEORGE A. BURGIN.

